News Website Management in WordPress: A Complete Guide
Running a news website on WordPress involves more than just writing articles. You need to organize content, manage pages, optimize performance, and deliver fast, reliable news updates. In this article, you’ll learn how to properly manage a news website in WordPress, covering everything from posting news to using the right plugins, image sizes, and content structure.
How to Post News Articles in WordPress
A. Use Posts, Not Pages
News updates should be published as Posts, not Pages. Posts support categories, tags and – perfect for a news layout.
B. Structure of a News Post
- Title: Keep it under 60 characters, SEO-friendly, and clickable.
- Featured Image: Always add a relevant image.
- Categories: Assign each post to one category (e.g., Sports, Politics).
- Tags: Use tags for topics (e.g., election, World Cup).
- Content Length: Ideal news post length: 300–800 words.
- Publish Time: Use the schedule feature for time-sensitive stories.
Creating and Managing Pages
Static content (not daily news) should go in Pages. Examples:
- About Us
- Contact
- Privacy Policy
- Terms and Conditions
- Advertise With Us
Tips:
- Use a simple page or builder like Gutenberg or Elementor.
- Keep content clean and informative.
- Use header tags (H1, H2, etc.) properly.
Plugins for News Sites
Here are must-have plugins for a smooth-running news portal:
Yoast SEO or Rank math for Search engine optimization
Elementor or Gutenberg Blocks for Page layout customization
WPForms if required
Image Guidelines for News Websites
Images play a huge role in news presentation. Use clear, relevant visuals.
Recommended Sizes:
- Featured Image: 1200 x 720 px
- In-Post Images (inner pages): 800 x 500 px
Tips:
- Use JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics/logos.
- Use image compression tools if required. Website lists at atnepal.net/web
- Always use alt text for accessibility and SEO.
Best Practices for News Publishing
Use Categories Wisely
Examples:
- Politics
- Entertainment
- Business
- Sports
- Technology
Avoid overlapping too many categories – one per post is enough.
Use Tags for Topics
Examples:
- Budget 2025
- Messi
- NEPSE
- Local Elections
Schedule Content
Use WordPress’s Schedule feature or plugins like Editorial Calendar or PublishPress to plan posts ahead of time.
Monetization (Optional)
News sites can generate income by:
- Google AdSense
- Affiliate marketing
- Sponsored posts
- Subscription/Membership models
- Native ads
Use ad management plugins like:
- Advanced Ads
- Ad Inserter
Managing a news website on WordPress is efficient when you use the right tools and structure. Focus on quality content, fast delivery, SEO, and clean layout. By maintaining a balance of technology and editorial strategy, you can run a successful and trusted news portal.